kamilaroi
.400 member
Reged: 18/12/04
Posts: 1803
Loc: sydney, new south wales, Austr...
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I believe you're right, it's Webster.
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470evans
.333 member
Reged: 30/03/05
Posts: 278
Loc: Texas, USA
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"Just as a matter of curiousity, what would have caused that mark around the left hand firing pin hole?"
The mark around the firing pin hole is caused by gas cutting from a ruptured cartridge case. This is referenced in Wal Winfer's book on Jeffery single shot rifles. I had a Manton 450/400 that showed the same cutting.
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Buchsemann
.333 member
Reged: 12/12/08
Posts: 439
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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Curl,
Yep, you're certainly living right or have a horseshoe hidden in your seat or both. That is a dandy of a .303 and the records that you have of the gun are that cherry on top. If memory serves me right aren't you in possession of quite a few very nice .303s? Thank you for sharing and congratulations once again on your very special find.
Regards,
Buchseman
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Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
- John Dryden
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5319
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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Only three .303 doubles. The Purdey, a Westley Richards, adn a Webley & Scott.
It's hard to walk away from a nice .303 double. What's not to like?
Thanks for your kind comments. I'm sorry we didn't meet up at the Vintagers. You could have handled this piece as I squirrelled it away in my vehicle.
Curl
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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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Buchsemann
.333 member
Reged: 12/12/08
Posts: 439
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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Curl,
So it's a few but not "quite a few", still a beautiful trio of .303s. It's very good fortune nevertheless for not only you but for all of us that appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of fine double rifles. I had hoped that we would have been able to chat a bit (at the Vintagers) but I found myself spending quite a bit of time at the stopping and stalking rifle competitions, a fair amount of time walking around with Dietrich Apel of the GGCA, just walking around in general, and visiting with fellow "Wisconsinite" Mike Schwandt of Schwandt Classic Arms. Mike always seems to have a good number of quality double rifles and as I'm guessing you already know he is quite the gentleman. Anyway, perhaps when you have some time I think a photo of your trio would be a nice touch for the NE bunch. The sharing of such artwork is always appreciated a great deal.
Best regards,
Buchseman
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Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
- John Dryden
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500Nitro
.450 member
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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Very nice indeed.
I had for a short time an indentical gun.
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5319
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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I was asked earlier about loading for the .303. I have an old Lyman manual from about 1967. It's the first loading manual I ever bought and the one I used when learning to load. I still use it, along with others. It has great information about some of the older rounds, such as the .303 Brit, including loading data for the 215 grain bullet. Here's a scan of the .303 page some of you may find helpful:
The last load I was using is 38.5 grains of IMR4895, Woodleigh 215, Fed 200, Remington brass, OAL 3.075". This is a mild and accurate load that seems to approximate original ballistics of the 215 grain loading.
Curl
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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5319
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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Quote:
Anyway, perhaps when you have some time I think a photo of your trio would be a nice touch for the NE bunch. The sharing of such artwork is always appreciated a great deal.
The Purdey is the subject of this thread and featured in photos above.
The Westley Richards is featured on this thread.
The Webley & Scott is featured at this page.
Maybe I'll get ambitious and photograph them together, kinda like my "Henry! Henry!" thread of a while back.
Again, thanks for the interest and kindness.
Curl
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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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Buchsemann
.333 member
Reged: 12/12/08
Posts: 439
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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Curl,
Thank you for the refresher. The treatment of the top rib (express sights, engraving, and the "ghost" sight) on the Westley blew me away the first time and did again this morning.
Also, thanks for reminding me about the Lymann reloading manual. I have that same manual and had forgotten about its noting factory duplication loads.
Regards,
Buchseman
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Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
- John Dryden
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Chasseur
.375 member
Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!
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Curly, Curly, that is one sweet piece of kit!!
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In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli
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tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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Really nice find Curl!
Now let's see some furry targets...
Cheers
Tinker
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--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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underlever
.300 member
Reged: 01/02/07
Posts: 164
Loc: N.S.W Australia
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G'day Curl,
finally got around to taking a few pics of the Purdey double that is not many numbers off yours. It was made in 1896 as a 303 and is now a 7x65R . These new chopper lump barrels were fitted by Westley Richards and although it hasn't been checked out yet, I don't think this occurred many years back. Bores and finish is as new. A zeiss variable scope in QD mounts is part of the new set up. We have speculated as to what happened to the 303 barrels to cause the fitting of the new and expensive, set. As the rest of the rifle is in such good, almost new condition, corrosive ammo and poor cleaning may be to blame. Or it could be the new owner just didn't like the old 303 and loved the 7 mm. A few enquires to WR will hopefully find the answer.
Although the present owner did part with a good wad of money to gain possession of this beauty, I still think he got a bargain. I have a feeling the pure collectors turned up their noses at it because of the new barrels. A rifle of mixed heritage does not appeal to high end buyers that gather for investment only. The new owner is not a collector but an average bloke who had dreamed of one day owning and hunting with a classic Best double. He cleaned out the gun safe and waited and watched. To him a double that is the combined effort of Purdey and WR is not too big of a burden to carry.
Does it shoot? Well regulation has not been checked yet but last weekend He rolled 6 pigs with 7 shots. All were shot on the run in either sun flowers or shoulder high grass and the comment was that it handled wonderfully. That didn't really surprise me.
Regards,
Ron.
Edited by CptCurl (23/05/11 10:02 AM)
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tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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"... not too big of a burden to carry..."
Indeed!!
Cheers
Tinker
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--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5319
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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Lovely!
Curl
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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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BigFiveJack
.333 member
Reged: 25/12/05
Posts: 256
Loc: Half hour North of Tampa Bay F...
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As far as man can go, perfect...
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Cordially,
Jack
NRA Endowment Member
DRSS Member
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